Mechanism for adjusting lifts of paper upon feed boards



Nov. 19, 1929. R. MIEHLE MECHANISM FOR ADJUSTING LIFTS OF PAPER UPON FEED BOARDS Ofiginal Filed July 14, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet l fizferfi l Babe/f Hi h/6 Nov. 19, 1929. R. MIEHLE 1,736,414

MECHANISM FbR ADJUSTING LIFTS OF PAPER UPON FEED BOARDS Original Filed Ju1y'14, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 19, 1929. R. MIEHLE- MECHANISM FOR ADJUSTING LIFTS OF PAPEfl UPON FEED BOARDS Original Filed July 14. 1924 4Sheecs-Sheet 3 x J u.

Mlllll'l lllll I'lllllu lllul Ill-Ill Ill I'lllill llnlllll |l R. MIEHLE Nov. 19, 1929.

MECHANISM FOR ADJUSTING LIFTS OF PAPER UPON FEED BOARDS Original Filed July 14, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 'll-Ill Patented Nov. 19, 1929 ROBERT MIEHLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS MECHANISM non ADJUSTING LIFTS or PAPER UPON FEED BOARDS Application filed July 14, 1924., SeriaI No. 725,921.

My invention relates to feed boards such as are employed in connection with paper folding machines, printing presses, etc., and the features thereof relate generally to the provision of practical and effective means for changing. the position of sheets or lifts of paper upon the feed boards with a view toward maintaining the paper in the proper position for feeding the same from the feed boards.

The preferred embodiment of my invention contemplates the manual feeding of single sheets of paper from a lift of paper upon a feed board and various features of the invention have in View the rendering of manual feeding more convenient and less sub; ject to interruption for shifting the lifts OI paper on the feed board.

With the above features in View my invention consists in certain features of novelty in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts by which the said features and certain other features, hereinafter appearing, are effected, all as fully described with ref- 3 erence to the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the said drawings-- Figure 1 is a side view of a feed board equipped in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a part of the structure shown in Fig. 1 with parts broken away. I

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial view on the line 4-t of Fig. 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged partial section on the line 55 of Fig. 2. v

Figure 6 is an enlarged partial section on the line 66 of Fig. 2.

Figure 7 is anenlarged partial section on the line 77 of Fig. 2. V

Figure 8 is an enlarged partial section on the line 88 of Fig. 2. I

Figure 9 is an enlarged partial s1de view of the feed board and associated structure taken oppositely with respect to Fig. 1.

Figure 10 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the operating mechanlsm, hereinafter described.-

Renewed March 8, 1929.

Figure 11 is an enlarged plan View of an other part of the operating mechanism, hereinafter described.

Figures 12, 13, and 14 are enlarged partial sections taken similarly to Fig. 3 showing 5 modifications of the structure.- I

Like characters of reference indicate like parts in the various views.

The drawings show the association of the feed board of my invention with a printing press, of which an impression cylinder 1 is shown in Fig. 1, but the invention is not to to be limited to such association.

Associated with the cylinder 1 in an elevated position is a feed board from the front part 2 of which the sheets of paper are delivered singly to be operated upon by the mechanism to which they are to be fed, such as the impression cylinder 1. The rear part 3 of the feed board is that upon which the lift of paper, shown at 4, is mainly supported, the sheets being ledfrom the lift or pile of paper t to the front or feeding portion of the feed board. It is customary to form the feed board in sections that are hinged at 5, the feeding end or part 2 of the feed board being upon the forward section and by reason of the hinge 5- being adapted for pivotal movement into a vertical position for purposes of accessibility, an d the rear or paper supporting portion 8 of the feed board being stationary. In order that it may be conveniently moved upon the hinge 5 the front part 2 of thefeed boardis counterbalanced by a weight bar 6 extending tra'nsversely underneath and in adjacent spaced relation with the rear part 3 of the feed board when the front part 2 is in its horizontal feeding position, as shown, the weight bar 6 being secured between the free ends of arms 7 disposed adjacent respective sides of the feed board and secured with the front part 2 of the feed board.

A roller 8 is disposed at the rear end of the rear part 3 of the feed board and extends transversely thereof, and is reduced at its ends at the middle thereof forming bearing. portions. Bearings 9 engage the end and-middle bearing. portions of this roller for revol'ubly sup-porting the same, and are mounted for ad- 1100 justment longitudinally of the feed board for adjustment of the roller in the following manner. These bearings 9 are provided with longitudinally slotted extensions 11 extending forwardly underneath the rear part 3 of the feed board and secured to the lower surface of the rear part 3 by bolts 12 extending through the slots of respective extensions 11 serve for clamping the extensions to the rear part 3. See Figs. 2 and 5. Adjustment screws 13 are screw-threaded into respective bearings 9 on axes extending longitudinally of the feed board and engage respective bolts 12 for moving respective bearings rearwardly for adjusting the same longitudinally of the feed board, the bolts 12 being loosened during adjustment by the screws 13 and tightened after the bearings are adjusted.

A roller 14 is disposed at the front end of the rear part 3 of the feed board and extends transversely thereof, and is reduced, as is the roller 8, at its ends and at the middle thereof forming bearing portions. Pillow bearings 15 engage respective reduced end I portions of the roller 14 for revolubly supporting the same, these bearings being secured on respective feed board frames 16 disposed at respective sides of the feed board for supporting the same. A hearing 17 engages the reduced portion at the middle of the roller 14 for revolubly supporting the same and has an extension 18 projecting rearwardly underneath the rear part 3 of the feed board and secured thereto by means of screws 19. See

. Figs. 2 and 7.

'feed board is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending relatively wide grooves 21, and a plurality of flat endless belts 22 of a width approximating the width of respective grooves extend longitudinally of and surround the feed board section 3 and have the paper bearing or upper stretches thereof extending longitudinally of and supported in respective grooves 21. These belts are trained over the rollers 8 and 14 which are provided with annular grooves 23 in respective of which the belts are engaged.

The grooves in the feed board section 3 and rollers 8 and 14 serve to guide the belts laterally, and the belts may be kept taut by adjusting the roller 8 longitudinally of the feed board as hereinbefore described. The rollers 8 and 14 are so disposed with refer ence to the feed board section 3 that the upper stretches of the belts 22 rest in the grooves 21, and these stretches of the belts are beneath the lift 4 and are adapted when moved longitudinally of the feed board to move the lift along the feed board. The belts are moved by rotation of one or both of the rollers 8 and 14, preferably both, and the intermediate bearings of the rollers, as hereinbefore described, in addition to the end bearings thereof are very advantageous in that they prevent undue bending of the rollers and provide adequate tension on all the belts though relatively small rollers are used. The rollers 8 and 14 by reason of their size and disposition so position the lower stretches of the belts 22 that these lower stretches extend between the lower surface of the feed board section 3 and the weight 6 whereby the weight may move downwardly with upward movement of the feed board section 2 out of feeding position without interference from the belts. As shown the belts bear slightly upon the weight, but this engagement is not sutiicient to interfere with the operation of the belts.

A supporting strip 24 extends longitudinally of the roller 14 on the side thereof opposite that on which the feed board section 3 lies and is adapted for deflecting the paper from this roller and the belts. The ends of this strip are secured with the bearings 15, and the middle portion thereof is supported by a forward extension 25 on the bearing 17 which underlies the strip and is secured thereto by means of a screw 26, whereby the strip is adequately supported. See Figs. 2, 4, and 7. An intermediate longitudinally extending reinforcing member 30, with which the feed board section 2 is usually equipped, is

secured on the lower surface of this section' and projects rearwardly from this feed board section and underlies the extension 25 when the feed board section 2 is in feeding posi tion and serves as an additional support for the bearing member 17; See Figs. 2 and 7. It will be observed that the arrangement of the roller 14 and stationary strip 24 between the stationary portion 3 and the hinged portion 2 of the feed board provides an effective paper deflecting means which extends around the roller in close relation therewith to an effective deflecting point near the top of the roller and at the same time permits of the pivotal movement of the hinged feed board portion, the strip 24 being stationary and at all times remaining in effective deflecting relation with the roller.

In order that the tractive effect of both of the rollers 8 and 14 may be exerted upon the belts 22, a chain and sprocket driving connection 27 of usual construction is provided therebetween on the side of the feed board opposite the feed side thereof and is carried upon the reduced ends of the rollers in a usual manner. This connection permits adjustment of the roller 8 for maintaining the belts taut by reason of the chain thereof being somewhat loose as shown in Fig. 1.

A step by step mechanism is carried on the reduced end of the roller 14 at the feed side of the feed board, this mechanism consisting of a ratchet wheel 28 secured on this reduced end of the roller 14, a ratchet arm 29 carried on said reduced end for angular movement and disposed immediately outward of the ratchet wheel, an actuating pawl 31 the crank.

pivoted on the arm for engagement with the ratchet wheel, and a spring 32 for holding the pawl in or out of engagement with the ratchet wheel. lVhen the arm 29 isoscillated with the pawl 31 in engagement with the ratchet wheel a step by step movement of the rollers 8 and 14 is effected for moving the paper 4 step by step. See Figs. 2, 9, and 10. A hand crank 33 is carried on said reduced end outwardly of the arm 29 for angular and longitudinal movement with respect to the roller 14, its longitudinal movement outwardly being limited by a screw and washer at the extreme end of said reduced end as designated at 34. The hub of the hand crank is provided with an inwardly facing driving clutch formation 35, and a pin 36 is secured in a diametrical: hole in said reduced end between the arm. 29 and the hand crank 33 and serves both to. limit outward movement of the arm 29 and as a clutch member adapted to be engaged by the clutch formation 35 when the crank. is at an inward position for operating the rollers by The clutch formation is disengaged from, the pin 36 when the crank is in an outward position as shown, and in such outward position the. crank hangs downwardly and is stationary whereby it does not interfere with feeding during operation of the ratchet mechanism.. The ratchet mechanism is adapted for the operation of the rollers to move the paper step by step corresponding with the feeding thereof, and the hand. crank 33 is adapted for operating the rollers independently of the ratchet mechanism to effect a rapid extended movement of the paper such as is desirable in initially moving a lift of paper into a proper feeding posi tion at the front or discharge end of the rear feed board section 3 of the feed board after the lift has been placed on the rear or loading end of this feed board section.

The crank 33 is conveniently accessible to an attendant on a usual feed stand 37 spaced below the feed board at the feeding side'thereof, and foot operated mechanism is provided whereby the attendant may conveniently operate the ratchet mechanism with his foot while feeding. Accordingly a rod 38 is pivoted to the oscillating arm 29 on an axis parallel with the pivotal axis of the arm for operating the same. A bracket 39 is secured on the feed stand 37 below the arm 29 and ex tends upwardly from the feed: stand and is provided at its upper end with. an overhang:- ing portion provided with a; forwardly facing open sided. guide formation 41 in; which the rod 38 is releasably engageable for maintaining therod in a position extending-downivardly from the arm- 29 for operating the same. A foot treadle 42 is secured onthe lower end of the rod; 38: below the guideformation 41 for effecting, downward movement of the,- rod by: foot pressure.. A second foot treadle 43 is secured to the rod 38- above the uide formation 41 for the same purpose, but by reason of its elevation being more convenient to the attendant while seated on a usual seat not shown. Downward movement of the rod 38 is limited by the engagement thereof upon the feed stand and upward movement of the rod is limited by the engagement of the treadle 42 with the guide formation 41, A tension spring 44 is secured at one end to the treadle 43 and extends upwardly and rearward'ly therefrom and is secured at the other end thereof to the adjacent frame 16 and is adapted to efiect upward movement of the rod 38 and arm 29 and to yieldably maintain the rod in engagement with the guide formation 41. Intermittent downward pressure upon either of the treadles 42 and 43 causes the rod 38 to reciprocate thereby oscillating thearm. 29 and the pawl 31., and when this pawl is in operative relation with the ratchet wheel 28 the belts 22 will be moved correspondingly to move the paper forwardly toward the feed section 2 of the feed board.

The rod 38 is adapted to be pivoted on the arm 29 into a position in which it will not interfere with access underneath the feed board, and when desired the rod may be moved out of engagementwith the guide for matio-n 41 against the influence of the spring 44 into such a position as designated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, a hook 45' secured: to the adjacent frame 16 serving to maintain the rod in such position. hen: it is desired to again bring the rod 38 into operative position it is released from the hook45 r-een-gaged with the guide formation 41.

In order to facilitate movement of the paper transversely of the feed board, as in adjusting a lift on the feed board, corresponding sides of the grooves 21 of the feed board are beveled as designated at 46, and the corresponding sides of the grooves 23 of. the rollers 8; and 14 are beveled as designated at 47, and the corresponding opposite edge portions of the belts 22 are beveled from the outer surfaces thereof, as designated at 48, whereby the paper'is not apt to catch at the edges of the belts or sides of the grooves in the transverse movement thereof in the one direction. See Figs. 2, 3, 12, and 13.

It is preferable that the upper surfaces of the paper engaging stretches of the belts 22 be disposed slightly above the upper surface of the feed board in order that a good tractive contact between the paper and belts be assured. In order that this-tractive contact may be increased, without accompanying dis advantage the grooves21 in the feed" board section 3 may be formed. as shown. in Figs. 12, 1-3, or 14 in which the depthof the grooves is varied transversely, preferably by meansiof inserts 49- secured therein. In Fig. 12 the bottom of a groove-21is=shown slanted transversely with the deep portion. thereof at the side of the groove'opposite that on which the beveled side i6 thereof lies. In Fig. 13 the intermediate portion of a groove 21 is elevated above the side portions of the groove and terminates at its sides with abrupt steps. In Fig. 14 the bottom of a groove 21 is convexed transversely of the groove. The upper surfaces of the belts 22 supported in the grooves 21 correspond with the transversely varied depth of the grooves and increase the tractive effect of the belts on the paper without accompanying disadvantage such as interference with transverse adjustment of the paper upon the feed board.

iVhile I have herein shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction shown as changes may readily be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, but hav ing thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following 1. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board, of a revoluble roller extending transversely of the feed board and provided with a reduced end portion, a ratchet wheel secured on the reduced end portion of the roller at one side of the feed board, a ratchet arm carried by the roller on said reduced portion for angular movement with respect thereto and disposed immediately outward oi the ratchet wheel, a hand crank carried on said reduced portion of the roller outwardly of the ratchet arm for angular and longitudinal movement with respect to the roller, a clutch member secured on said reduced portion of the roller between the ratchet arm and the hand crank, and a clutch member on the hand crank adapted for engagement with said first mentioned clutch member when the crank is moved to an inward position on the roller.

2. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board, of means for engaging and moving paper over the feed board, means for operating said paper noving means including a rod, and releasable means for maintaining said rod extending downwardly from the feed board for operating said paper moving means and adapted to permit movement of the rod out of said downwardly extending position into a position in which it does not interfere with access underneath the feed heart.

3. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board, of means for engaging and moving paper over the feed board, step by step mecha nism associated with the feed board for oi fecting step by step movement of said paper engaging means, a rod pivoted at one end for operating said step by step mechanism, and releasable means engaging the other end of said rod for maintaining said rod extending downwardly from the step by step mechanism for operating the same and adapted to permit pivotal movement of the rod out of said downwardly extending position into a position in which it does not interfere with access underneath the feed board.

4%. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board, of means for engaging and moving paper over the feed board, ratchet mechanism associated with the feed board at one side of the feed board at the discharge end of said paper engaging means for operating the same and including an oscillating arm disposed on a horizontal axis extending transversely of the feed board, a rod pivoted to the arm on an axis parallel with the pivotal axis of the arm for operating the same, an open sided guide spaced below the arm for engagement with the rod for guiding the rod in a position extending downwardly from the arm for operating the same and adapted for release of the rod for pivotal movement thereof into a position in which it does not interfere with access underneath the feed board, means for releasably maintaining the rod in the latter position, a tension spring connected with the rod adapted for efiecting upward movement of the rod and arm and yieldably maintaining the rod in the guide, and a foot treadle secured to the rod at the lower portion thereof.

In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a ieed board the combination with a feed board, of means for engaging and moving paper over the feed board, ratchet mechanism associated with the feed board at one side of the feed board at the discharge end of said paper engaging means for operating the same and including an oscillating arm disposed on a horizontal axis extending transversely of the feed board, a'rod pivoted to the arm on an axis parallel with the pivotal axis of the arm for operating the same, a stationary bracket spaced below the arm and provided with an open sided guide having its open side facing in the direction of the movement of paper over the feed board and adapted for engagement with the rod for maintaining the rod in a position extending downwardly from the arm for operating the same and adapted for release of the rod for pivotal movement thereof into a position in which 7 it does not interfere with access underneath the feed board, means for releasably maintaining the rod in the latter position, a tension spring connected with the rod adapted for effecting upward movement of the rod and arm and yieldably maintaining the rod in the guide, a foot treadle secured to the rod below the guide, and a second foot treadle secured to the rod above the guide.

6. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board, of continuous belt means extending longitudinally of and surrounding a paper supporting portion of the feed board and adapted when moved longitudinally for moving paper over the feed board, two revoluble rollers extending transversely of the feed board at respective ends-0f said paper supporting portion thereof and over which said belt means is trained, means for adjustably positioning the roller at the loading end of said feed board portion longitudinally of the feed board whereby to maintain said belt means taut, a chain and sprocket driving connection between said rollers at one side of the feed board whereby the tractive effort of both rollers is exerted on the belt means and permitting adjustment of the adjustable roller, foot operated step by step mechanism at the other side of the feed board and connected with the roller at the discharge en d of said feed board port-ion for operating the rollers step by step, and hand crank means for operating the rollers independently of said step by step mechanism.

7. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board of a plurality of endless belts extending longitudinally of the feed board in spaced relation and surrounding a paper supporting portion thereof and adapted when moved longitudinally for moving paper over the feed board, two revoluble rollers extending transversely of the feed board at respective ends of said paper supporting portion thereof and over which the belts are trained, bearings at the ends and at intermediate points of said rollers for revolubly supporting the same, means for adjustably positioning the bearings of the roller at the loading end of said feed board portion longitudinally of the feed board whereby to maintain said belts taut, a driving connection between said rollers at one side of the feed board whereby the tractive effort of both rollers is exerted on the belts, mechanism connected with one roller operating the rollers adapted for effecting gradual movement of the paper corresponding with the feeding thereof, and additional means connected with one roller for operating the rollers independently of said roller operating mechanism and adapted for effecting extended movement of the paper.

8. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board, of a plurality of endless belts extend.- ing longitudinally of the feed board in spaced relation and surrounding a paper supporting portion thereof and adapted when moved longitudinally for moving paper over the feed board, two revoluble rollers extending transversely of the feed board at respective ends of said paper supporting portion thereof and over which the belts are trained and having reduced bearing portions at the ends thereof and at intermediate points thereon, bearings engaged with the end and intermediate bearing portions of respective rollers for revolubly supporting the rollers, means for adjustably positioning the bearings of the roller at the loading end of said feed board portion longitudinally of the feed board whereby to maintain said belts taut, a driving connection between said rollers at one side of the feed board whereby the tractive effort of both rollers is exerted on the belts, step by step mechanism connected with one roller for effecting step by step movement of the rollers step by step, and hand crank means connected with one of said rollers for effecting movement of said rollers independently of said step by step mechanism.

9. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board, of a plurality of endless belts extends ing longitudinally of the feed board in spaced relation and surrounding a paper supporting portion thereof and adapted when moved longitudinally for moving paper over the feed board, two revoluble rollers extending transversely of the feed board at respective ends of said paper supporting, portion thereof and over which the belts are trained and having reduced bearing portions at the ends thereof and at intermediate points thereon, bearings engaged with the end and intermediate bearing portions of respective rollers for revolubly supporting the rollers, means for adjustably positioning the bearings of the roller at the loading end of said feed board portion longitudinally of the feed board whereby to maintain said belts taut, a chain and sprocket driving connection between said rollers at the side of the feed board opposite the feeding side thereof whereby the tractive effort of both rollers is exerted on the belts, ratchet means connected with the roller at the discharge end of said feed board portion and disposed at the feeding side of the feed board for operating said rollers, a foot treadle device connected with said ratchet device and disposed to be oper ated by an attendant while feeding paper from the feed board, a hand crank at the feeding side of the feed board and carried by the roller at the discharge end of said feed board portion, and releasable clutch means for connecting this roller with the hand crank for operation thereby independently of said ratchet mechanism.

10. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending relatively wide grooves in the upper surface and a paper supporting portion thereof varying in depth transversely from relatively deep portions at corresponding sides thereof, of a plurality of flat belts of a width approximating the width ofrespective grooves and having the paper bearing stretches thereof extending longitudinally of and supported in respective grooves whereby the upper surfaces of the paper bearing stretches thereof correspond with the transversely varied depth of the grooves and adapted when moved longitudinally for moving paper over the feed board.

11. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending relatively wide grooves in the upper surface of a paper supporting portion thereof having the bottom surfaces thereof varied in depth transversely thereof and having relatively deep portions at the sides of the grooves, of a plurality of flat belts of a width approximating the width of respective grooves and having the paper bearing stretches thereof extending longitudinally of and supported in respective grooves whereby the upper surfaces of the paper bearing stretches thereof correspond with the transversely varied depth of the grooves and adapted when moved longitudinally for moving paper over the feed boarc.

12. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending relatively wide grooves in the upper surface of a paper supporting portion thereof, of a plurality of flat belts of a width approximating the width of respective grooves and having the paper bearing stretches thereof extending longitudinally of and supported in respective grooves and adapted when moved longitudinally in said grooves for moving paper over the feed board, said feed board having corresponding sides of said grooves beveled and said belts having the corresponding opposite edge portions thereof beveled from the outer surfaces thereof whereby to facilitate movement of paper transversely over the feed board in one direction.

13. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves in the upper surface of a paper supporting portion thereof, of a plurality of fiat endless belts of a width approximating the width of respective grooves and surrounding said feed board portion and having the paper bearing stretches thereof extending longitudinally of and supported in respective grooves and adapted when moved longitudinally in said grooves for moving paper over the feed board, rollers extending transversely of the feed board at respective ends of the paper supportin portion of the feed board over which the belts are trained and provided with annular grooves in respective of which the belts are engaged, said feed board and rollers having corresponding sides of the grooves thereof beveled and said belts having the correspondingly opposite edge portions thereof beveled from the outer surfaces thereof whereby to facilitate movement of paper transversely over the feed board in one direction.

14. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending relatively wide grooves in the upper surface of a paper supporting portion thereof varying in depth transversely from relatively deep portions at corresponding sides thereof, of a plurality of flat belts of a width approximating the width of respective grooves and having the paper bearing stretches thereof extending longitudinally of and supported in respective grooves whereby the upper surfaces of the paper bearing stretches thereof correspond with the transversely varied depth of the grooves and adapted when moved longitudinally for moving paper over the feed board, said feed board having the sides of said grooves opposite said relatively deep portions of the grooves beveled and said belts having the edge portions thereof at said relatively deep port-ions of the grooves beveled from the outer surfaces thereof whereby to facilitate movement of paper transversely over the feed board in one direction.

15. In mechanism for adjusting paperupon a feed board the combination with a feed board provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves in the upper surface of a paper supporting portion thereof varying in depth transversely from relatively deep portions at corresponding sides thereof, of aplurality of fiat endless belts of a width approximating the width of respective grooves and surrounding the feed board and having the paper bearing stretches thereof extending longitudinally of and supported in respective grooves whereby the upper surfaces of the paper bearing stretches thereof correspond with the transversely varied depth of the grooves and adapted when moved longitudinally for moving paper over the feed board, rollers extending transversely of the feed board at respective ends of said paper supporting portion thereof over and which the belts are trained and provided with annular grooves in respective of which the belts are engaged, said feed board and rollers having the sides of the grooves thereof opposite said relatively deep portions of the grooves of the feed board beveled and said belts having the edge portions thereof at said relatively deep portions of the grooves beveled from the outer surfaces thereof whereby to facilitate movement of paper over the feed board in one direction. v j

16. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board comprising a stationary portion, an adjacent portion hinged on a transversely disposed axis adjacent the stationaryportion for upward pivotal movement out of feeding position, and a counterbalance connected With the hinged portion for counterbalancing the same and extending transversely underneath the stationary portion in adjacent spaced relation therewith when the hinged portion is in feeding position, of continuous belt means extending longitudinally of and surrounding said stationary portion for moving paper thereover and extending underneath said stationary portion above said counterbalance whereby to permit downward movement of the counterbalance with the movement of said hinged portion out of feeding position.

17. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board comprising a stationary portion, an adjacent portion hinged on a transversely disposed axis adjacent the stationary portion for upward pivotal movement out of feeding position, and a counterbalance connected with the hinged portion for counterbalancing the same and extending transversely underneath the stationary portion in adjacent spaced relation therewith when the hinged portion is in feeding position, of a plurality of endless belts extending longitudinally of and surrounding said stationary portion and adapted when moved longitudinally for moving paper thereover, and revoluble rollers extending transversely of the feed board at respective ends of said stationary portion and over which the belts are trained, said' rollers being so disposed and of such a size that the upper or paper bearing stretches of the belts are supported on said stationary portion and that the lower stretches. of the belts extend between the lower surface of said stationary portion and the counterbalance without the counterbalance interfering with movement of the belts and whereby the counterbalance may move downwardly with movement of said hinged portion out of feeding position.

18. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board comprising a stationary portion, a portion adjacently spaced with respect to the stationary portion and hinged on a transversely disposed axis adjacent the end thereof nearest the stationary portion for upward pivotal movement out of feeding position, and an intermediate support secured with the hinged portion and projecting therefrom on the end thereof adjacent the stationary portion of a roller disposed transversely of the feed board and disposed in the space between the feed board portions and adjacent the stationary portion, an additional paper supporting member extending longitudinally of said roller between the roller and the hinged portion and adapted for deflecting paper from the roller, and means for revolubly supporting the roller and for supporting said additional paper supporting member including a bearing member disposed intermediately with respect to the ends of the roller and revolubly supporting the same and secured to said stationary portion and to said additional paper supporting member and adapted to overlie said intermediate support for additional support therefrom when the hinged portion is in feeding position.

19. In mechanism for adjusting paper upon a feed board the combination with a feed board comprising a stationary rear portion, a forward portion adjacently spaced with respect to the front end of the stationary portion and hinged for upward pivotal movement out of feeding position on a transversely disposed axis inward of and adjacent the rear end of this forward portion, and an intermediate longitudinally extending support secured on the under surface of the hinged portion and projecting rearwardly from the rear end thereof, of a belt roller disposed transversely of the feed board and disposed in the space between the feed board portions and adjacent the stationary portion, and additional paper supporting member extending longitudinally of said roller between the roller and the hinged portion and adapted for deflecting paper from the roller and belts thereon, said roller being provided with reduced bearing portions at the ends thereof and at an intermediate point thereon, and means for revolubly supporting the roller and for supporting said additional paper supporting member at the ends thereof and at said intermediate point of the roller including an intermediate bearing member engaging the intermediate bearing portion of the roller and underlying and secured to said stationary portion and additional paper supporting member and adapted to overlie said intermediate support for additional support therefrom when the hinged portion is in feeding position.

In witness whereof I hereunto affix my signature this llth day of July, 1924.

ROBERT MIEHLE. 

